MLB Postseason Sees Highest Viewership Since 2017, Surges 13%

UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing its most-viewed postseason in the U.S. since 2017, with average viewership reaching 4.48 million viewers, according to recent data from MLB and Nielsen. This marks a substantial 13% increase compared to last year, indicating a growing popularity for the sport as the League Championship Series unfolds.

The surge in viewership is primarily driven by the first two rounds of the postseason. The American League Championship Series (ALCS), broadcast on Fox, Fox Sports 1, and Fox Deportes, averaged 4.99 million viewers across seven games. This figure remains consistent with last year’s ALCS, where the New York Yankees triumphed over the Cleveland Guardians in five games on TNT Sports.

Viewership for the postseason has been particularly notable in key matchups. The Toronto Blue Jays clinched a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7, attracting an impressive 9.03 million viewers—marking it as the most-watched ALCS game in eight years. The audience peaked at a staggering 12.35 million during the ninth inning, showcasing the game’s intense excitement.

In a twist, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced challenges during their series, as they swept the Milwaukee Brewers in four games. Despite a historic performance from Shohei Ohtani, who achieved a remarkable three-homer game alongside a ten-strikeout performance in Game 4, the series averaged 3.51 million viewers. This was a 17% decline from last year’s six-game series between the New York Mets and Dodgers on Fox.

The postseason success is not just limited to the U.S.; MLB viewership has soared in Canada and Japan as well. Toronto’s historic win, advancing them to the World Series for the first time since 1993, averaged 6 million viewers in Canada, becoming the most-watched Blue Jays game on Sportsnet. Meanwhile, Ohtani’s Game 4 performance captivated the Japanese audience, averaging 10.26 million viewers—making it the second most-watched LCS game in Japan’s history. The game aired at a convenient Saturday morning time due to the 16-hour time difference between Tokyo and Los Angeles.

The National League Championship Series (NLCS) also saw a record average of 7.34 million viewers in Japan, reflecting a 26% increase from last year. Fans are continuously drawn to follow stars like Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki in unprecedented numbers.

As the postseason progresses, all eyes are on MLB as it breaks records and captures the hearts of fans worldwide. With the World Series on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever, making it an exhilarating time for baseball enthusiasts. Stay tuned for updates as this thrilling postseason unfolds.